A warning has emerged that the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's acute tech skills shortage could hinder the government's ambitious drive to boost artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives across the country.
Keir Starmer unveiled the government's AI opportunities action plan back in January, with a bold aim to generate upward of 13,000 jobs within the technology sector, as reported by .
However, current insights suggest a rocky start on the horizon. Industry figures highlight a concerning gap between the available skilled workforce and the number of experts needed to fulfil these roles, a survey by HR platform Deel suggests.
According to the findings, IT, tech, and AI roles are proving to be the most challenging areas for recruitment as we advance into 2025, prompting 43% of º£½ÇÊÓƵ business leaders to cast their hiring nets internationally.
Within the realm of technology, an alarming three-quarters of IT businesses are scouting globally for qualified staff.
Matt Monnette, º£½ÇÊÓƵ country manager at Deel, voiced his concerns: "As the º£½ÇÊÓƵ races to cement its position as an AI leader, evidenced by the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, it’s concerning that the very people who will be driving private sector innovation are proving the hardest to find."
"Without the right talent the country’s ambitions could be at risk, potentially stalling the º£½ÇÊÓƵ tech sector’s growth and competitiveness."
To tackle this shortfall and secure the success of the AI action plan, the government has underlined the importance of skilling vast numbers of workers by the year 2030. Despite these efforts, the stark reality remains that as of 2022, there were merely 46,000 graduates in AI-relevant fields, presenting a significant challenge to º£½ÇÊÓƵ employers on the lookout to hire AI talent.
Acknowledging the skills shortage, Rachel Reeves has put forth a proposal for high-skilled visas to draw in international AI expertise. At the World Economic Forum last Wednesday, she revealed the government's plan to release an immigration white paper later this year, aimed at reassessing visa policies to lure skilled professionals and stimulate economic growth.
Despite the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's AI skills deficit, LinkedIn's latest report highlights a promising trend among º£½ÇÊÓƵ businesses. The report notes a remarkable 310% surge in AI-related talent within the º£½ÇÊÓƵ over the past eight years, with 25% of British companies now regarding AI as an essential skill for career advancement.
Furthermore, 41% of companies are investing in employee development to equip them with AI tool skills, while 23% are adapting their company culture to enhance AI fluency. In a bid to bridge the AI skills gap, Microsoft and Pearson º£½ÇÊÓƵ have recently announced a long-term partnership.
Microsoft's Chief Commercial Officer, Judson Althoff, commented: "The speed and scale of AI innovation present a unique opportunity for organisations to transform, but this requires workers who are equipped with the right skills."
"This partnership will empower employees to advance their careers while helping businesses unlock AI’s potential."
